these. Nehemiah had given the heads of families (Nehemiah 7:6-73 ) and the numbers of the four classes of priests (Nehemiah 7:39-42 ). Compare Ezra 2:36-39 . Here he inserts twenty-two names, the heads of priests' classes, or courses formed out of these four, "in the days of Jeshua" (Nehemiah 12:7 ). See Ezra 6:18 . Ezra. Not th e Ezra of the book of Ezra. read more
DEDICATION OF THE COMPLETED WALL OF JERUSALEM(Note: in this chapter, we shall use the text of the RSV, which has returned to the order of verses in the KJV).This chapter exhibits two separate parts: (1) certain lists of priests, High Priests and Levites (Nehemiah 12:1-16); and (2) the elaborate ceremonies of the dedication. Cook classified the lists thus: (1) the chief priestly and Levitical families who returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1-9); (2) the first six of the post-exilic High... read more
1. these are the priests—according to Nehemiah 12:7, "the chief of the priests," the heads of the twenty-four courses into which the priesthood was divided (Nehemiah 12:7- :). Only four of the courses returned from the captivity (Nehemiah 7:39-42; Ezra 2:36-39). But these were divided by Zerubbabel, or Jeshua, into the original number of twenty-four. Twenty-two only are enumerated here, and no more than twenty in Nehemiah 12:7- :. The discrepancy is due to the extremely probable circumstance... read more
3. The priests and Levites 12:1-26The priests and Levites were the most important people who returned from exile because they reestablished worship in the land. Nehemiah 12:1-7 give the names of 22 leaders among them who had returned in 537 B.C. with Zerubbabel and Jeshua (cf. 1 Chronicles 24:7-19). The writer also mentioned eight Levites by name (Nehemiah 12:8-9; cf. Ezra 2:40-42).The genealogy of the high priest was especially important. Five succeeding descendants of Jeshua appear in the... read more
The Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem1. The priests] The names in Nehemiah 12:1-7 likewise appear with some variations in Nehemiah 10:3-8 see also Ezra 2:36-39. 8. The Levites] cp. Nehemiah 10:9-14. Over the thanksgiving] RM ’over the choirs.’10. Jeshua] The high priest who returned with Zerubbabel. The succession of high priests is carried down to Jaddua, who was contemporary with Alexander the Great, so that the six generations cover the period from 536 to about 340. Eliashib the grandson... read more
XII.(1-9) The priests and Levites of the First Return.(1) Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra.—The first is the family name, represented by Jeshua. Of the two others we know nothing more than this record gives. read more
CHAPTER 12 1. Priests and Levites at the time of the return under Zerubbabel and Joshua (Nehemiah 12:1-9 ) 2. The descendants of Joshua, the high priest (Nehemiah 12:10-11 ) 3. The heads of the priestly houses in the time of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:12-21 ) 4. Heads of Levitical houses (Nehemiah 12:22-26 ) 5. The dedication of the walls (Nehemiah 12:27-43 ) 6. Provisions for the priests and Levites, and other temple officials (Nehemiah 12:44-47 ) Nehemiah 12:1-9 . The names of the... read more
12:1 Now these [are] the priests and the Levites that {a} went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,(a) From Babylon to Jerusalem. read more
PRIESTS AND LEVITES (vv. 1-26) In these verses God sees fit to list the names of the priests and Levites who came to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel in the first return for the rebuilding of the city. Ezra refers to these in chapter 2 of his book, but God is concerned to express His own approval of every individual who is exercised to help in recovery of the testimony of His truth in times when failure has resulted in general apathy. The priests are listed first (vv. 10-7) and the Levites in... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 12:1-26
Lists of priests and Levites (12:1-26)Following the lists of residents of Jerusalem are the lists of priests and Levites. The first of these records the names of those priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel and Joshua (12:1-9). (The Ezra mentioned in this list is not the more commonly known Ezra.) After recording the descendants of Joshua for the next six generations (10-11), the writer returns to record the heads of the other original priestly families (12-21).Besides dealing with... read more